My last hair cut wasn’t the bomb. I had a really hard time with it. It looked good when my hair was curled, but when it was straight you could see it wasn’t blended enough and my top layer stuck over my bottom one a good 2 inches. And you know it’s not a good hair cut when you come to work and your co-teacher tells you that it looks weird. I do appreciate the honesty though.

So when an opportunity came up to visit the new Camille Albane Paris Salon in Maple Grove, I knew I couldn’t miss it.

Last Wednesday after a long and tiring day at work, I drove up 169 all the way to Maple Grove to this brand new salon. The calming white interior, Coldplay through the speakers and incredible staff helped me relax and forget about my troubles almost instantly.
Black capes are non-existent at Camille Albane Paris. You wear a white robe instead, which creates the atmosphere of a spa, and not a salon.

Tammy, the manager, and my stylist for the night was attentive and addressed all my concerns, answered all questions and was so much fun to talk to. She even saved my pink extension I got at Glamorama 😉

In addition to the haircut I also got a balayage. It was a little different for me, because Tammy didn’t wrap my hair in Saran Wrap, like they usually do at Aveda. The formula that they use doesn’t dry out as fast, so that wasn’t necessary.

Camille Albane Paris was founded in France, where they have the laboratories and create all of the products. The other salon in the United States is located in Boston.

Camille Albane is a breath of fresh air among the existing salons in the Twin Cities area. It’s new, different, and adds to the edge that we’ve been missing here in the Midwest.

And this Wednesday, August, 13 the salon has it’s official opening. I would love to see you there! So if you are planning on coming make sure to send your RSVP to RSVP@lolaredpr.com. Hope to see you there.
The salon is located at 7808 Main Street, Maple Grove, MN 55369 between Panera and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Phone # 763-316-6957

Have you ever wondered what your hair would look like after you’ve been wearing it in the top knot for the whole day? Today you’ll find out!

Here is a dress I’ve had since my NYC days, so circa 2009. I got it at the famous Housing Works on the UWS! I absolutely loved that store, for some reason there was always something there for me! So if you can – go check it out! It’s on Columbus and W 74th St!

And if you ever wondered what a top knot does to your hair… Well, here is the answer!

Saturday I had my first experience getting my hair done at the Aveda school. It’s located in North East Minneapolis, right behind St. Anthony Main. And they have not one, but TWO parking lots!

I kind of knew what I was getting myself into. Back when I lived in New York, the woman I worked for used to get her hair done at Aveda school, it was super cheap, but took forever.

It’s also been forever since my last hair cut in September:

So 9 am there I was at the Aveda school. Here is how it all works:

You call a number and make an appointment.

On the day when you are supposed to go you show up there wait in line.

You will also sign a waiver saying you realize that your hair is going to be treated by students.

If you’ve signed up for any sort of color services, they do a skin test behind your ear.

Then you simply sit there and wait for your name to be called.

I loved my long hair though, and definitely didn’t want to lose more than 1 inch! I was also getting highlights. Sam has been asking me to go blond for a long time now. And I finally gave in.

So when I came home looking like this:

… he said I wasn’t his wife

So what are the pros and cons of getting your hair done by a student?

Pros:

1. The price: It’s cheap, I only paid $46 for the cut, a blowout and partial foils.

2. They are very attentive. I loved the lady who did my hair, she was an older woman from Vietnam, and told me stories from when she just moved to the States in the 80’s. Plus I got a back rub and a hand massage!

Cons:

1. It takes forever, there is some paperwork they need to fill out, and show the teachers. I was in the chair for 4 hours, during which about an hour was just sitting around, and my husband kept wondering why it was taking so long!

2. You never know who you are going to get. There are a lot of students, and it’s a cat in the bag for them and for you.

3. They are kind of pushy when it comes to Aveda products. I’ve used Aveda before and it’s really not all that natural as they make it sound. Just make sure to say no, when you need to!

In the end, I was happy with my cut and color. One of the teachers came and fixed my hair, because apparently it was longer on one side, but overall I had a pretty enjoyable experience and will definitely consider going back there!

I know, you are all probably tired of my updates, but so many things have been going on in my life, that I can’t help, but share

After my very unfortunate incident with a manager from Sanctuary Salon Spa in Minneapolis, I was thrown into the pool of “I have to find a new hairstylist” people. See, I am not really a person who jumps from chair to chair. I like to find a good stylist and stick to them. Fortunately for me one of my friends recommended Ray, and needless to say – he was amazing! He works at Studio 54 which is right on Nicolette and 54th street! So if you are looking for a good stylist – definitely check him out!

Here is what my hair looks like now:

About a week and a half ago we went to Kielbasa Festival at Kramarczuk’s in North East Minneapolis. It’s right across the river next to St. Anthony Main.

I really wanted to see Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapels. We did get to see the show, but unfortunately they ran out of the signature beer mugs. Hopefully I’ll be able to score one in a local thrift store or something

And an awesome picture of us with a Matryoshka doll:

As some of you already know, I quit my Macy’s job, I don’t work at Clinique anymore. I am now a toddler teacher at the New Horizon Academy. I survived my first week at my new job, and to be honest this week is kind of easier, at least Monday went pretty well, and that’s like 50% of the week, right?

We also said good-bye to our MINI, a car that was in Sam’s family for the past 10 years. We traded it in for a Toyota Yaris, which is an automatic, while the MINI was a manual, and I can actually drive the new car! In fact, I am now the main driver in the family How exciting!

As one of my girlfriends referred to it – it’s a lipstick color car

I have also discovered a new hang out spot for my lunch breaks – DUNN Brother’s on the corner of 2nd and 3rd, near the Stone Arch Bridge. So if you want to stop by and say hi – I am usually there around 1.30 pm, reading my book

The sunsets have been gorgeous lately, I wish I could post a hundred pictures of each one, but we’ll keep it simple:

I know I haven’t blogged a whole lot lately, new job, transitioning from retail back to childcare and all that, but I am hoping to jump back on the regular blogging train, so that I can entertain you with more and more exciting stories and DIYs from Minneapolis.

There is a story behind this shampoo. I won it in an on-line magazine giveaway. Right around Christmas. I honestly would’ve never bought it for myself. I’ve been kind of an organic shampoo freak for the past few years. But I didn’t want the product to go to waste, so I started using it. And I loved it! I’ve only been using it for a few weeks now, but it works better than some of the organic ones that I’ve tried. Here is what the packaging looks like:

And the back

I do have frizzy hair, and it is dry on the ends, so this shampoo/conditioner combo works well for my fine hair. It adds shine to it. Doesn’t make it look greasy. The only thing is – Why do all Fructis products smell the same? – I mean I can get over it, it’s their signature smell and all, but still…

So here is what my hair looks like today, after morning shower, and then running around all day :

I usually put some Organix morocan argan oil in my hair as well, and all of these products seem to be working super well together! I still use my Aveda treatment, the gloss by Fekkai, and whatever is left over from that 3 minute miracle by Aussie.

I also want to encourage you to participate in giveaways and sign up for samples, because it’s good to try out new things!

What hair care products are you currently using?

Cheers,

Z

PS. Oh and I hate the little dark green tops, the one on the conditioner is hard to open, and it always gets stuck under my nail OUCH

Thank you Ke$ha, I will never look at the studs the same way again. I am pretty sure you are brainless, otherwise this would’ve never happened. At least you went for golden ones, not platinum or diamond… hehe

On the other note, it’s this time of year when I go in for a hair cut. And this time it’s going to be banging! Yes, my friends, I am getting bangs, next Friday! So mark your calendars and don’t forget to check up on me 😉

How is working at Clinique? – Wonderful, the most exciting job I’ve ever had (probably until gift with purchase comes around – LOL – but mark your calendars for that, because it’s a pretty neat gift )

And unless the weather app is lying to me, it’ll be in the 50s here in Minneapolis next week! Buh-bye snow and hello spring!

The hair dilemma is solved! I did it, and I did it Aveda way! The Sanctuary Salon and Spa is the place where I went to. I had my appointment with Brooke, and she was absolutely wonderful. The second I entered I knew I smelled something wonderful – a blend of mint and rosemary, then my coat was taken by a very friendly receptionist, who later offered me some peppermint tea. My hairstylist was a young stylish girl, dressed in all black. I first got a scalp massage, and that was the 2nd time I’ve ever gotten a head massage, needless to say, it was wonderful! Then she washed my hair – and they have heated sinks there! How awesome is that? From the small amount of Aveda products that I’ve tried, they are wonderful and smell great! The haircut was fun and effortless. It only took Brooke about 25 minutes to cut and blow out my hair and do some more cutting once the hair was dry. She demonstrated and explained every product she used, what it was for, and it’s benefits. She never tried selling any of those products to me, which was great, I hate it when you are getting talked into buying something, because that pushes me away from the person/business. But enough of my blabbering, let the pictures speak for themselves!

Day 1

Day 1

Day 2

And for everyone who is looking for a good hairstylist in the Twin Cities, I highly recommend taking advantage of Aveda’s New Talent program and get your hair cut by Brooke!

It’s always big when someone gets to be on a reality TV show, especially if that someone is an entire salon. Jungle Red may only look like a garage on the outside, but trust me there is more inside, plus the inside is also organic.

The local downtown salon got on Tabatha Takes Over, because the owner needed help, she was $45,000 in debt and actually living in the place! Those of you who watched the show last night could’ve gotten a sneak peak on her bras and the disgusting shower (I had a better one growing up in Russia! Just saying 😉 ) The staff was a hoot, the make up artist was doing vodka shots like no tomorrow, at that point I started wondering how Russian she might be on the scale of 1 – drunk. Plus the dust, the hair, the oh so ranch looking tub for pedicures. No wonder I read horrible reviews on that place!

But here comes Tabatha with her adorable British accent, cursing left and right. In spite of all that, she plays the Fairy Good Mother for Kari, the salon manager and presents her with a yoga instructor job and people who can train her!

The show ends well, I am sure the salon is getting more and more business, to be honest I am still not sure whether it’s worth going to or not, I guess Aveda’s domination and reputation speaks for itself and if I can get an appointment to get my hair cut this week, I will go there.

Now about the party, no good came out of it, but this picture of Sam and I, I mean we are one good looking couple!

The viewing party held at Seven started at 7pm (feel the irony?), we got there around 7.30, 8pm was when the fashion show was supposed to start, and to be honest that was the part I was extremely excited about. But once the models started coming, I realized that this was going to be one hell of a show in a bad way, at some point I thought one of the models was going to fall, she was wobbling on her heels. All models were dressed in black leggings and tanktops. Some were wearing coats, some were just carrying purses or clutches, some were too big for models, some were okay, I guess. I think this was the part that my husband hated the most, but I guess he was expecting more from a fashion show, just like I was. All the clothes were presented by Pink Champagne, a boutique somewhere in the Twin Cities that I never heard of, the owner, who came out at the end of the show was wearing a furry head band and looked like she got lost on her way to Aspen. The video of the final walk-through is below for your judgement:

All in all, Jungle Red was a great fit for Bravo’s reality TV. One part of me wishes there was more drama, but it is what it is. I also wish Tabatha would’ve made it, but alas, she only Skyped, and I guess that reduced the effect she would’ve had on the crowd if she’s been here in person.

It’s not a bad thing, it’s just something that every girl has to go through, especially when her hair is long enough for her to be able to pull off basically anything. I am no Rapunzel, but my hair is longer than it’s been for a while. Plus it’s going to be the first time for me getting my hair cut in Minneapolis. I am yet to find a good hair stylist, so if you know anyone in the Twin Cities, leave me a comment!

Now on to the hair cuts. Of course I could’ve tried some personal styler, but I am too lazy, so we are basically going to overload this post with pictures of Blake Lively! Because she is gorgeous, and I love her hair! There, I said it

So there you have it, this is how I am getting my hair cut (read: trimmed) next week. I am also expecting to magically turn into Blake Lively after the hair cut!